Norwegian Prime Minister concludes Vietnam visit

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway Erna Solberg left Hanoi on April 18, concluding her three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

PM Erna Solberg and PM Nguyen Tan Dung (VNA)

During her visit, PM Erna Solberg held talks with President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

At the meetings, leaders of both nations expressed their delight at the expanding relations between the two countries, especially in politics, economics, development co-operation, education and culture, which they believe have laid a firm foundation for increasing ties.

They agreed that Vietnam and Norway ought to increase the exchange of delegations, which would make positive contributions to the efficiency of existing political dialogue mechanisms as well as to the conclusion of negotiations on the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Union in 2015, while enhancing security-defence affiliation.

They also highlighted the need to settle all disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law, the UN Charter and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as emphasising on the need to quickly develop a binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), which would be an effective tool to ensure peace, stability as well as security, safety and freedom of trade, maritime and aviation in the East Sea.

During her stay in Vietnam, PM Erna Solberg and the Norwegian delegation laid a wreath in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and at the War Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Memorial; as well as visited Lao Cai province where UNICEF is conducting a number of projects in the fields of education and health.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)